Jazz & Arts Festival this weekend!

NOW into its SIXTH year, the KL International Jazz & Arts Festival 2017, will showcase a stellar line up of international and local artists performing a wide genre of Jazz from 14th -17th September at multiple venues.

Beginning September 14 at the French restaurant, Rendez-Vous, Bangsar, the main festival with 10 performances will be held at the Experimental Theatre, University Malaya tomorrow and Saturday. Sunday’s closing day will feature two performances at the newly opened Commune, Sunway Velocity Mall.

The KL International Jazz & Festival has built a good standing among the jazz fraternity for providing top notch international acts from all over the world.

Having presented the likes of NEA Jazz Master, Ahmad Jamal, David Sanborn, Incognito, Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Hiromi, Ernie Watts, Lao Tizer, Chieli Minucci and numerous others from New York, USA, South Africa, Europe, UK, Japan, Australia and ASEAN, this year promises another a line-up of stellar acts.

Headlining the festival this year is Tenor Man, Eric Watt from Brooklyn, New York. Eric is the God son of the legendary Sonny Rollins and is expected to carry Sonny's legacy to the next generation of Jazz lovers.

He has been recording and traveling the world as both leader and sideman and continues to build an impressive, solid resume. Having released a number of albums, Eric has a unique sound that while it straddles the sounds of Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Frank Foster and Sonny Rollins overall, it transcends beyond into a high energy and heavy driven sounds for a jazz quartet.

Supported by Benito Gonzales on piano, Christy Smith on acoustic bass and upcoming youngster David Hodek on drums. Eric is scheduled to perform two shows at the festival. On Friday he will play songs from his latest album and on Saturday, he pays tribute to the music of Sonny Rollins.

SEPTEMBER 14

Kicking off the KL International Jazz Festival, with a night of top-class music in the swanky Upstage Lounge, at Rendez-Vous, Bangsar. Gracing the stage with their 5-piece band will be Fusion 5, a collaboration between international artistes working here in Kuala Lumpur. Doors will open at 8:30pm and the band will get under way at 9pm playing two incredible sets.

Get your advance tickets at a special price of RM50 when you book through Peatix, or at the door for RN65. Seats are limited.